Break Out! 5 Ways to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life - by Joel Osteen

When I pick up a book written by Pastor Joel Osteen, I always know what I am going to get.  The book is always uplifting, encouraging and inspiring.  When I finish the book I am really revved up and ready to fight the enemy and live my life to its fullest according to God's plans.

Some of the stories within this book sounded a little familiar and I am sure I have heard them or read them before, but this is not a bad thing.  In fact, as I hear or read some of the stories that he shares the principle is built up more within me.

Pastor Osteen is Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church in Houstan, Texas. He is a powerful speaker and motivator and his books are only an extension of who he is. When reading any of his books, I feel like he is sitting across the room from me simply talking to me. His writing is simple to understand and if the reader is ready to absorb the information Pastor Osteen offers, they will walk away after finishing Break Out! with new excitement about their life in Christ. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Break Out! and have already bought copies as Christmas presents. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to get motivated and encouraged in their walk with Christ.

On a 5-Star Scale - Five Stars!!!!

I would like to thank Sarah Reck and Faithwords, a division of Hachette Book Group for my copy of  Break Out!. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

NIV Ragamuffin Bible - with Reflections by Brennan Manning

When given the opportunity to receive and review the NIV Ragamuffin Bible I jumped at the chance.  I love having different translations of the Bible and if they come with devotionals included within the pages all the better.

The Ragamuffin Bible has reflections by Brennan Manning scattered throughout as devotionals.  This particular Bible has the devotionals, or meditations, geared toward the bedraggled, beat-up and brokenhearted. I must admit, some of the devotionals were really quite sad. The one found in James, entitled The Good We Ought to Do, was about a person who witnessed a man being so totally cruel and inhumane to a young pregnant woman by pouring beer over her head and down her blouse while being very graphic with his talk of what he had done to her and was going to do to her later.  I did not find this type of 'devotional' pleasing within the covers of a Bible. I know the point was about what the person who was observing did to try to rescue the woman and to back up James 4:17, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them", but I found it a little offensive inside the covers of a Bible.  I believe it would serve a better person in a Bible study.

I really don't find that I can recommend this Bible except to the bedraggled, beat-up and brokenhearted.

On a 5 Star scale - NIV Bible - 5 Stars; The devoitionals - 3 Stars.

I would like to thank Rick Roberson of B & B Media Group for my review copy. I received my copy for free to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Reason for My Hope Salvation by Reverend Billy Graham

In the late sixties I was given the opportunity to attend the Billy Graham Crusade held at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. You see my best friend was a strong Christian and she knew I was lost and needed Jesus in my life. She and her family took me to the crusade every night for a week. Was it life-changing? You bet it was. A couple nights into the Crusade I made a giant leap toward my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When I had the opportunity to read and review Reverend Graham's newest book I leaped again.

If I were to tell you everything that is in the book, you might not go out and buy it. That would be sad as this book is powerful. It is as powerful as the man who wrote it. You must get this book, read it, share it and read it again.

 At the end of each chapter, Reverend Graham's final statement is written in all caps. These caught my eye and left me to ponder the truths shared in just a few powerful words.

To put it in simple words, this book, The Reason for My Hope Salvation is a book that Reverend Graham uses to tell the reader the truth. The truth about God, Jesus, Heaven and Hell. Nothing is sugar coated. He simply states what Christians know to be the truth. You must be born again and take up your cross daily to follow Jesus.

If anyone has ever had the opportunity to attend a Billy Graham Crusade then I am positive they will want to read Reverend Graham's newest book The Reason for My Hope Salvation.  I can honestly say that I plan on reading it again and again. The truths presented in this book are important for the Saved to remember and the Unsaved to learn.

Several times while reading this book I actually could hear Reverend Graham's distinct voice and there were several times I shed a few tears. Especially when he describes the crucifixion. We need to remember daily the price Jesus Christ paid for all of us sinners. It was powerful.

Also, in the Afterward, Reverend Graham gives an invitation for Salvation to the reader. Once again, this was a powerful book.

I would highly recommend The Reason for My Hope Salvation.  With Christmas just a few short weeks away you might consider picking up a few copies to give away as gifts. If you know someone who is searching and needs the Lord this is a perfect gift.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 HUGE STARS!!!!!

I would like to thank BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my copy of The Reason for My Hope Salvation. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance - Merry Humbug Christmas

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Merry Humbug Christmas

B&H Books (October 15, 2013)

by

Sandra D. Bricker


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The author says that it was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer. "I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost," she says. "So it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch the Love Finds You line."

Sandie's real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Spearheading a series of devotionals for Summerside Press (such as the popular His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not), the author has stipulated that a portion of each contributor's proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with raising funds for my pet projects ... and still pursue my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

And one of the author's pet projects is animal rescue, evidenced by the special bond she has created with one particular formerly-abandoned puppy -- a red-haired collie with "killer brown eyes and the heart of the class clown."

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Merry Humbug Christmas features two holiday romance novellas from hilarious and heartwarming author Sandra D. Bricker. -- the perfect gift to yourself or someone else at this most wonderfully stressful time of year.

 In "Once Upon a Jingle Bell," A Bah! Humbug cruise to the Mexican Riviera is Joss Snow’s answer to this year’s quest to avoid the holidays completely; at least until she’s rebooked on a different kind of cruise altogether. Candy canes, holly wreaths, reindeer and ornaments seem to be stalking her on the 12 Days of Christmas holiday cruise extravaganza. An escape back to land is her only goal . . . until she meets a kindred spirit in rugged Irishman Patrick Brenneman, and then the game is on! Avoid Christmas festivities at all costs . . . except maybe for that one stop under the mistletoe.

In "It Came Upon a Midnight Deer," Reese’s guilt over abandoning best friend Joss on their holiday tradition of avoiding all things Christmas is trumped by the joy of her recent engagement. Meeting Damian’s family for the first time on idyllic Sugarloaf Mountain is about as far from that Bah! Humbug cruise as she can get, and Reese can hardly wait to get there. But from the moment they hit that deer in the road just two miles from the cabin, everything seems to go wrong. There are no drummers drumming or pipers piping this particular year! And once she sets her future in-laws’ family cabin ablaze, she’s pretty sure there won’t be even ONE golden ring in her future.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Merry Humbug Christmas, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

How can a person turn down reading a Christmas story, let alone two? I love Christmas and could easily read Christmas stories and listen to Christmas music all year through. So when I was given the chance to read and review Merry Humbug Christmas I jumped at the chance.

Sandra D. Bricker has a gift of writing humor into her stories and with the two stories within the covers of Merry Humbug Christmas I was happily entertained with her gift. I guarantee you will find both stories, Once Upon a Jingle Bell and I Came Upon a Midnight Deer enchanting and humorous. The same main characters live within the pages of both novellas.

I would highly recommend Merry Humbug Christmas to anyone who likes to read something light and funny set during the Christmas season. 

On a 5-Star Scale = 4 Stars.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B & H Books for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Emotions by Charles F. Stanley

People are not people without emotions. We experience joy, sadness, grief, love and a whole lot of different types of emotions each and every day. If we didn't we wouldn't be human. It's how we handle or react to our emotions that makes us different.

I will be perfectly honest. I do not have control of my emotions. I wish I did and it is for that reason that when I was offered the opportunity to read and review Pastor Stanley's book Emotions Confront the Lies, Conquer With Truth I jumped at the chance.

Pastor Stanley does a wonderful job on explaining to the reader how we can break away from the strongholds that our feelings place on us daily. When we can break free we can then find the God given purpose in our lives. He shows how we don' have to feel defeated or alone in our battle with out emotions and how we can find healing if we will allow our Heavenly Father to heal us.

One of my favorite chapters in this book is Chapter Five, The Courage to Stand - Conquering Fear Through a Change of Focus. One thought that was highlighted was found on page 101 and it states, "For us to overcome our fears, it is crucial we unearth where they originate from, which then shows us what thoughts trigger them." This opened my eyes as I know when I fear things I usually build things up in my mind until I am overwhelmed. When I stop and think and try to analyze things I tend to be less fearful. A lot of things I fear is because of things I learned as a child and Pastor Stanley addresses the attitudes we are taught as children.

Reading through this book is not enough. I believe the reader needs to take notes while reading it and make it a text that they come back to over and over. Pastor Stanley has included "Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Study" at the end of each chapter. This helps the reader focus in on the key points of each chapter.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has issues with their emotions or a family member or friend who needs help with controlling their emotions.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Kelly Vo of the Emotions Book Team and Howard Books for my review copy. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek by Jane Myers Perrine

The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek by Jane Myers Perrine was a delight to read. This book is the third in the Butternut Creek series, the first two books being The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek and The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek. While they can be read as stand-alone books, I believe I would have had more fun reading Ms. Perrine's newest book if I had read the two previous books and got to know the characters earlier.

I must say that this book is full of characters that have a lot of character. Ms. Perrine has created a town that some might compare to Jane Karon's wonderful town of Mitford. But Butternut Creek has just as much charm as the characters that inhabit the town. Four wonderful matchmaking widows, a young pastor that is the target for their matchmaking early on in the book (and obviously a continuation from the earlier books). When the pastor's sister returns to Butternut Creek the meddling matchmaking widows find new prey for their matchmaking skills.

A wedding does take place but who gets married is a question you will have to find out for yourself as I do not like to give out spoilers. But I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

If you like reading books that are just plain fun and entertaining then Jane Myers Perrine, The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek is a book you will enjoy!

On a 5-Star Scale - Four Stars!!!!

I would like to thank Sarah Reck and Faithwords, a division of Hachette Book Group for my copy of The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Forever Friday by Timothy Lewis

For those who are regular readers of my blog, you know that I love the work of Dan Walsh. Well, I have now discovered an author who has a very similar voice to Mr. Walsh, and that author is Timothy Lewis and his book Forever Friday is an absolute gem.

The story moves back and forth through time, much like some of the books Dan Walsh writes. Forever Friday begins in 2006 as Adam Colby, an owner of a small estate-sale business, rescued several photo albums that the bargain hunters and antique buyers overlooked. Within the pages of the photo albums were picture postcards. These weren't just any postcards, each one had a poem expressing the love Gabe Alexander had for his wife Pearl Huckabee (she goes by the name of Huck). Gabe sent one to her so she would receive it every Friday for sixty years.

Adam Colby is divorced and while reading the postcards he becomes intrigued with the depth of commitment that Gabe had for Huck. Can he discover the secret to their long passionate love or did it die with them? He soon meets Yevette Galloway, the daughter of Priscila Galloway, the long-time housekeeper for the Alexanders. She begins to reveal the story behind the postcards and Adam knows it is a story that needs to be told.

Mr. Lewis did a wonderful job of bouncing back and forth between the years. He takes us on the wonderful journey of Gabe and Huck as they meet for the first time in Cecil's Fish Market & Seafood Emporium and when they walk into eternity together from the Bayshore Extended Care Facility. I was pulled into Gabe & Huck's story from the first page and they became like family to me.  The characters of Gabe and Huck were vibrant and believable. The story read more as a memoir to me then a story of fiction, but that could be because Mr. Lewis based the story loosely on the life of his great-aunt and great-uncle, who left a legacy of postcards behind as well.

Forever Friday is a story of love and commitment between man and wife that spanned a lifetime. I must admit that I laughed and I cried throughout the book. Mr. Lewis touched my heart with this book and I could easily see it made into a movie.  Are you listening Hollywood? Besides, Mr. Lewis also writes screenplays so you needn't look beyond him.

I would highly recommend Forever Friday to anyone who enjoys reading a good book.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Press for my advanced reader's copy. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Please enjoy the video promo below.
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Smiles & Blessings,

Severed Trust by Margaret Daley - my review

Severed Trust is Margaret Daley's fourth book in her "The Men of the Texas Rangers" series. Having already read the other three books in the series, Saving Hope, Shattered Silence and Scorned Justice, I just had to read her newest offering in the series. I wasn't disappointed.

Ms. Daley always creates believable characters that work their way into the heart of the reader. In Severed Trust, school teacher Sadie Thompson and Texas Ranger, Ethan Stone bring to life a story about teenagers, pill parties and prescription drugs. A death occurs, is it suicide or murder? That is what drives the story forward.

The scary thing is pill parties are happening around the country in the real world today. Parents should read this book so they can get an idea of what could be happening in their children's school. A pill party is where kids steal prescription pills from parents, or wherever they can find them, go to a party where all the pills are tossed in a bowl and then along with drinking alcohol they grab handfuls of pills and down them. Scary huh?! They can be taking a deadly combination and in this book that's exactly what happens when a young high school football player takes a wrong combination and is found dead. But was it from the pills or was something else at play that caused the death. Ms. Daley puts the reader on the edge of their seat as she takes them on a journey with many twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it figured out something else happened to take me to another conclusion. I love books that can make me feel as if I am part of the story and keep me interested until the very last page.

I am a really big fan of Margaret Daley's work and I have loved each and every book in "The Men of the Texas Rangers" series. They are all stand-alone books so you needn't worry that you have to read them in order. but I highly recommend that you read each one of them as they are all very good.

If you would like to read the Prologue and Chapter 1 you can read it here.

On a 5-star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Abingdon Press for my review copy of Severed Trust. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Millie's Treasure by Kathleen Y'Barbo - my review

Millie's Treasure is the second book in Kathleen Y'Barbo's "Secret Lives of Will Tucker" series.  The first book in the series is Flora's Wish, a book I have not read yet but plan to do so in the near future.

Millie Cope and Kyle Russell are the lead characters in Millie's Treasure and they are two characters I fell in love with. Millie had a father who was quite difficult and she learned it was best to not say much around him. She wanted to escape her father so she could live her own life and she was willing to marry Sir William Trueck in order to do so.  But is Sir William really who he says he is? Kyle is a Pinkerton Agent who had been given the task of uncovering a possible Confederate treasure. When Millie and Kyle encounter each other, Millie realizes she has only agreed to marry Sir William in order to get away from her father and she decides she must find a way out of her situation.

I love books that do flashbacks in time and Millie's Treasure begins in the year 1888 but then goes back to 1837. Ms. Y'Barbo wove the time periods together quite well.

Ms. Y'Barbo has created a tale of intrigue involving a hunt for treasure, a Pinkerton Agent who likes to invent things, a strong heroine with a mind of her own and romance all packaged up nicely within the pages of Millie's Treasure. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a good clean book full of adventure and romance!

On a 5-Star Scale - 4.5 stars!!!!

I would like to thank Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma - my review

Snow on the Tulips is a richly woven story of love, trust, faith and courage set in the Netherlands during the last days of World War II.  Ms. Tolsma has created a masterful historical novel that pulls the reader in from the very first page. Her story was so well crafted that I could see the countryside, the war torn town, the German's banging on doors. She opened up this story and invited the reader in to experience the pain and suffering of her characters.

The heroine of the story, Cornelia de Vries was widowed when the German's took her husband away from her on their wedding night and killed him. At the time of the story, four years have passed but she still finds herself grieving over his death. She has been hiding her twenty year old brother, Johan, within her cottage so he won't be hauled off by the Germans. But Johan is bored staying indoors all the time.  He wants to do something to save his country. After hearing gun shots and knowing the Germans had probably executed some men Johan wants to get a closer look.  He sneaks out at night and soon finds himself face to face with a Dutch Resistance operative, Gerritt Laninga (although Gerritt doesn't give Johan his true name). Gerritt was one of the men the German's had executed but Gerritt survived.  Johan takes Gerritt back to Cornelia's so they can tend to his wounds. Cornelia isn't happy with her brother for sneaking out but she is really unhappy that he brought home one of the executed men. Afterall, when the German's came back to take the bodies away they would begin a search for the missing body.

This book held me captive. I found myself holding my breath each time Gerritt had to leave to help the cause. When the German's came and ransacked Cornelia's house I became angry. This book made me feel very strong emotions. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with the characters and when the story came to an end I found myself celebrating along with Cornelia and Gerritt.

It was obvious that Ms. Tolsma researched her topic very well and I would highly recommend Snow on the Tulips especially if you like reading Christian Historical Fiction, set during World War II.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review copy of Snow on the Tulips. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance - Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. & Cindy Kelley

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Traces of Mercy


David C. Cook (October 1, 2013)


by


Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson. 

****

Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

From Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, authors of The Silent Gift and creators of the hit television film Love Comes Softly, comes an exciting historical romance set in post-Civil War, and filled with suspense and faith-building values. 


At the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life.


Written by two proven storytellers, Traces of Mercy is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Traces of Mercy, go 
HERE.


My Thoughts:

This book, Traces of Mercy, is the first book in "The Medallion Trilogy" by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley. It is a Christian Historical Romance set during the period after the end of the Civil War. In fact, Chapter One ends with the conclusion of the war and a big surprise. The person you think will be the hero of the book turns out to be the heroine. 

 I loved this book to the end. From the very first page I was pulled in and taken on a journey...Mercy's journey. She is injured in the first chapter and loses her memory. I found myself  rooting for her to get her memory back as I wanted to know who she really was and what her real name was. 

If there is one negative thing I have to say about this book is the way it ended.  As I kept turning pages I thought, wait a minute, I'm running out of pages and there is so much more story to tell. The ending left me hanging in a sense, just like my favorite television shows do with their final shows of the season.  I have never been a fan of "To Be Continued..."  So, will I read book two in this series? You bet! Because I just have to find out more about Mercy. 

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and the publisher David C. Cook for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan - a review

Perfectly Matched is the third book in Maggie Brendan's "The Blue Willow Brides" series.  The first in the series Deeply Devoted (read my review here) and the second in the series Twice Promised (read my review here) were absolutely wonderful and I gave them both 5 star ratings. Unfortunately I didn't love this book as much as the first two.

The heroine of the story is Anna Olsen who has left her sisters behind in order to travel to Denver, Colorado to become the mail order bride of Edward Parker. Now I must admit I absolutely love the character of Anna. She has a compassionate heart for animals and begins rescuing them much to Edward's dismay. In time he comes around and helps her in her quest to open up a branch of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) but most of the book was over before he came around.

Edward Parker never pulled me into his story. He is obsessive-compulsive and on their wedding day he tells Anna that they will not consummate their marriage for ten days. Then he hands her a note of her "wifely duties" telling her what to do and what days to do it on. All throughout the book I tried, I really tried, to like Edward but I just couldn't do it. In fact, I was actually hoping Ms. Brendan would let both characters see that their marriage was a mistake and have it annulled so that Anna could marry Daniel, Edward's best friend. I truly believe they were better suited to each other.

Besides Edward's character the one thing that made me not love this book was the fact that after they finally consummated their marriage it seemed like every other page they just couldn't wait to be together. I truly felt this took away from the story.

I have always thoroughly enjoyed reading books by Maggie Brendan but I am sad to say Perfectly Matched, is not one of my favorites. Does this mean I'll stop reading her books? Absolutely not. I will definitely read her next book.

On a 5 Star scale - 3.5 stars.

I would like to thank Revell Publishing, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review copy. I received my copy for free in order to ready and give my honest opinion, which I have done.

"Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing"

Smiles & Blessings,

Congratulations to 

LORI

the winner of A Marriage CAROL by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman

Smiles & Blessings,

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance review of A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Bride for Keeps

Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2013)

by

Melissa Jagears


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 


A Word From The Author:

I am a stay at home mother on a tiny little farm with a fixer-upper house. As much as I love writing and reading about homesteaders, I am so glad I’m a homesteader during an era with modern grocery stores to take up for my slack. I am an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher by trade, and I still work occasionally in that field along with being my church’s financial secretary and writing novels.

My husband and I have been married since 2001 and have a daughter and two little boys. My husband shares my fascination with traditional living except for being more hands on. He loves blacksmithing, knife smithing, traditional archery, hunting, etc. Generally whatever a mountain man does, he does it or has or wants to attempt it. He comes in handy for research! And of course, the rest of the family gets involved. I have my own blackpowder rifle, named Calvin, that my husband made for me. And I’m pretty sure my daughter is probably one of very few her age who can instruct adults how to shoot a longbow properly. The boy digs random holes in my yard to make “cement” with dirt and water making our yard a tripping hazard. The baby does what babies do. 


ABOUT THE BOOK

A Tender Tale of Love on the Prairie Perfect for CBA Readers!


Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.


Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.


Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride for Keeps, go HERE.



MY THOUGHTS:

I love reading debut novels, especially when the voice is so fresh and exciting that I can't wait until the author has a new novel on the shelf. That is how I feel about a new favorite author, Melissa Jagears.  

First, I would like to say, I love the cover of A Bride For Keeps, it depicts the story well. But what lies within the covers of this book is truly magical. The mail order bride story was fresh, the characters were believable and I found I was drawn in from the very first page. I fell in love with Julia and Everett. They were well written and were real enough to walk off the page and into my heart. 

I think the one thing that touched me the most was how Ms. Jagears had Everett lead Julia to the Lord. She wrote it in such a way that a unsaved person could actually be led to the Lord through her words. Masterfully done!

I would HIGHLY recommend A Bride For Keeps to anyone who enjoys reading Historical Romance and if you know of someone who likes to read and you've been praying for them to get saved, this book could help.  Believe me, the story has elements of truth for today and could help someone who thinks they aren't worthy of His love to realize that they are.  

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE stars! Well done Ms. Jagears!

I would like to thank Christian Blog Alliance and Bethany House for my review copy.  I received my copy for free so that I could read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Merry 

the winner of Sandra D. Bricker's book,

 If the Shoe Fits

Smiles & Blessings,

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Okay. I did it. I have been hearing people talk about Francine Rivers and her book Redeeming Love for a few years now. I've heard nothing, and I mean nothing, but over the top, spectacular reviews. So I did it. I thought if a book is getting such rave reviews it must be good right? Wrong. Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers was the best novel I have ever read. It was outstanding! I found myself crying off and on throughout the book but at the end, well I sobbed. When I say sobbed, I mean uncontrollably.

Redeeming Love is the retelling of the story of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible. The characters of Michael Hosea and Sarah are phenomenally created and grow before your eyes into the people God would want them to be. Okay, Michael was already there but Sarah had a long way to go.

At the tender age of 8 years old, Sarah's mother dies and she is sold to Duke who soils her and keeps her until one day she escapes but finds herself back in a brothel just in another part of the country, a town known as Pair-a-Dice. While walking down the street one day, Michael Hosea, who is in town to conduct business with the local general store, sees Sarah (who is now known as Angel) and he clearly knows that she is the woman God has chosen for him. Through several visits to her, to talk only, and when she suffers a terrible beating by Magowan, the man who keeps all the girl's in line, Michael convinces her to marry him and takes her away to his farm, many miles away. Michael grows to love her while nursing her back to health. When she awakes she wants to go back to Pair-a-Dice.

The story takes twists and turns of Angel leaving Michael, Michael going after her and bringing her back, to Angel falling in love with Michael only to leave again. If I tell you anymore you will miss out on the blessing that this book bestows upon the reader page after page.

This book touches the reader at their inner core. If you find that you have issues in your life that you need to take to God, this book will give you the prompt you need. Believe me. God can speak to the reader through this book.  If you know someone who is lost or has backslid, this book would be a wonderful book to place in their hands.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE STARS!!!!!

I would like to thank Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Multonomah Publishing Group for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done. 

To find out more about the author, Francine Rivers, please visit her website here.
To order your own copy of Redeeming Love visit the publisher here.
To read the first chapter of Redeeming Love please go here.

Please enjoy the video

I guarantee reading Redeeming Love is a life-changing experience!

Smiles & Blessings,

A Marriage CAROL by Chris Fabry & Gary Chapman - a review with giveaway

For anyone who loves Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, you might just find Chris Fabry & Gary Chapman's book, A Marriage CAROL an enjoyable read. While it is not a long book, a mere 113 pages in length, this little hardback book packs a wallop of a message.

On a snowy Christmas Eve, Jacob and Marlee Ebenezer are on there way to see the divorce lawyer to sign the papers signaling the end of their marriage. With the weather getting worse by the minute Jacob chooses to take the short cut to town and soon finds a truck bearing down on them as they are headed into a curve. The next moment Marlee awakens finding the keys in the ignition, the airbags deployed but no sign of Jacob.

Marlee heads out in the snow looking for Jacob and comes upon a house.  Here she meets the owner, Jay, and learns that the power is out and they have no phone service. Jay goes out with the hope to find Jacob for Marlee but is unsuccessful. What transpires next is Marlee sees her past, present and future.

This book will take you on one woman's journey of finding herself before it is too late.  It is packed with sound advice and is a story that can be read anytime of the year, not just at Christmas.  I would highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who might be thinking of going down the awful road to divorce.

On a 5-star scale - 4 1/2 stars!

I would like to thank Moody Publishers for my review copy of A Marriage CAROL, I received my copy for free in order to review and give my honest opinion, which I have done.

* * * * * * * * * 

************ GIVEAWAY RULES  ************

1.  Giveaway is open to US and Canada

2.  No PO Boxes please.

3.  You MUST be a Google Friends Connect follower of my blog (please be sure to leave the name you follow under in your comment)

4.  For extra entries you may do one or all of the following:

    -- become an email subscriber +1

    -- invite a friend to become a follower of my blog.  If they become a follower & mention your name, you will both receive 2 extra entries

5. Include an email address where I can reach you if you are selected as the winner of this giveaway.  Please enter your email address in this format    winner[at]yahoo[dot]com

Giveaway will run through October 19th and the winner will be selected using Random.Org

Smiles & Blessings,

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance - review of The Nurse's Secret Suitor by Cheryl Wyatt

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Nurse's Secret Suitor

Love Inspired (October 1, 2013)

by

Cheryl Wyatt

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Not even Cheryl Wyatt’s closest friends would dream that this sweet, shy intercessor plots mayhem during announcements at church. She is a Registered Nurse turned stay-at-home-mom, wife and writer who loves Jesus with all of her heart.


Joyful chaos rules her home, and she delights in the stealth moments God gives her to write. She stays active in her church and in her laundry room. She is convinced that having been born on a Naval base on Valentines Day destined her to write Inspirational Military Romance.


Cheryl loves to laugh and to make others laugh, so she often plans comedic moments for her defenseless characters in spite of their grumbling. She says it’s payback for when they refuse to obey the plots she’s set out before them.


Prior to publication, six of Cheryl’s manuscripts placed in ten RWA Contests. Two of Cheryl’s stories also placed First in ACFW’s Noble Theme Contest 2005 (Contemporary Romance Category), as well as ACFW‘s Genesis Contest 2006 (Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Category).


She currently writes for Love Inspired. Her Wings of Refuge Series, about a team of USAF Pararescue Jumpers and the ladies who capture their hearts, can be purchased anywhere books are sold.


ABOUT THE BOOK

A Strong-Willed Heart  
Trauma nurse Kate Dalton can handle any challenge—except love. The combat veteran dreams of settling down, but heartbreak is one risk she won't take. Then a chance encounter opens her heart to a masked stranger…who might not be a stranger after all! Caleb Landis, the army medic behind the disguise, has always admired Kate, even though she only saw him as her best friend's brother. What will it take for Kate to discard her fears and discover the man she's always hoped to unmask? 
Eagle Point Emergency:  Saving lives—and losing their hearts— in a small Illinois town


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Nurse's Secret Suitor, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

The Nurse's Secret Suitor was a pure joy to read. I have to say the characters of trauma nurse Kate Dalton and Army medic Caleb Landis jumped off the page for me from the very beginning. I was hooked, pulled in,. and fell in love with these characters. However, the character that truly snared my heart was little five-year-old-going-on-forty, Tia.  Tia is Caleb's niece and when she was first introduced the vision I had was of child actress Raquel Castro in her movie debut in "Jersey Girl". She was adorably precocious as is Tia in The Nurse's Secret Suitor. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a thoroughly enjoyable clean read. 

On a 5 Star Scale - 5 BIG stars!  I LOVED it!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Love Inspired Books for my review copy which I received for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,